What Happens When You Report a Cybercrime in India? Step-by-Step Guide

When you're a victim of cybercrime in India, knowing the exact process can help you act fast and effectively. This guide walks you through every step—from reporting to resolution—with official sources and real-life cases.

1. Gather Evidence Immediately

⏱️ Time is critical. Before reporting anything, preserve all digital evidence:

• Screenshots, emails, chat logs

• Transaction records, URLs, phone numbers

• Device information, timestamps, timelines

Do not delete or modify any files.

2. Where to Report: Online or Offline

A. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)

• Official, 24×7 portal under Ministry of Home Affairs

• Requires Aadhaar, valid mobile number, and email

• Categories include financial fraud, stalking, cyberbullying, child abuse

• Upload detailed evidence before submission

C. Offline / In-Person Reporting

• Visit the nearest police station or dedicated Cyber Crime Cell

• Submit a written complaint with supporting evidence

• Request FIR registration under relevant laws

👉 Under Section 154 CrPC, police must register a complaint for cognizable offenses, regardless of jurisdiction.

3. Acknowledgment & Zero FIR

• Online portal gives a reference/complaint ID that can be used to track the case

• In high-value frauds (over ₹10 lakh), Delhi and other metros now use e‑Zero FIR: complaints via 1930 or portal are automatically converted into FIRs

• Victim has 3 days to confirm/sign the FIR at the police station

4. Investigation Process

Cyber cell or investigating officer collects further evidence:

• Forensics, device seizure, transaction tracing

• Possible freezing of bank accounts in fraud cases

Investigations typically complete within 90–180 days, depending on case severity.

Laws Involved:

• IT Act, 2000: Sections 43, 66, 66C, 66D, 66E, 67

• IPC: Sections 419, 420, 465, 354D, etc.

• CrPC & Evidence Act govern trial proceedings

5. Legal Actions & Trial

• Arrest of accused after evidence review

• Filing of charge sheet and presentation before Magistrate

• For digital evidence and expert testimony, technical specialists may be involved during trial

Victims can also approach courts if FIR is rejected at police level.

6. Fund Recovery & Freezes

• In financial fraud, police may freeze suspicious bank or UPI accounts

• Victims get SMS notifications indicating amount is “put on hold”

• Court intervention may be required before recovery and release

Some recent high-profile cases show recovery of portions of funds only after extensive legal process.

ecent and Real‑World Updates

✅ e‑Zero FIR Pilot Launches

• Delhi first, now spreading to Kolkata, Mumbai

• Complaints with frauds above ₹10 lakh are auto-converted into FIRs

Major Financial Fraud Cases

• Hyderabad: Victim duped of ₹1.94 crore via fake WhatsApp DP. ₹84 lakh frozen and partly recovered.

• Read in detail - Times of India

• Delhi: Cyber gang collected ₹17.5 lakh via fake work-from-home schemes. FIR registered, raids led to arrests.

• Read in Detail - Times of India

Cyber Cell Effectiveness Growing

• Bihar and Telangana police ramped up training—tackled large volumes of fraud, froze crores in suspicious accounts, and saw drops in scam volumes.

7. After Filing: Victim’s Checklist

Helpful Resources

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in

• Helpline: 1930 (for cyber fraud)

• CERT‑In: Technical agency under MeitY, handles incident response and advisories

Source of this Blog -

https://primelegal.in/how-to-file-a-cyber-crime-complaint-in-india/?

https://fbisupport.com/legal-procedures-reporting-investigating-cybercrimes-india

https://www.csoonline.com/article/569563/how-to-report-cybercrime-in-india.html